US20110145173A1 - Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers - Google Patents
Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20110145173A1 US20110145173A1 US13/026,813 US201113026813A US2011145173A1 US 20110145173 A1 US20110145173 A1 US 20110145173A1 US 201113026813 A US201113026813 A US 201113026813A US 2011145173 A1 US2011145173 A1 US 2011145173A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- consumer
- identifier
- account
- containers
- value
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
- G06Q40/02—Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
- G06F16/20—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of structured data, e.g. relational data
- G06F16/24—Querying
- G06F16/245—Query processing
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
- G06K7/14—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light
- G06K7/1404—Methods for optical code recognition
- G06K7/1408—Methods for optical code recognition the method being specifically adapted for the type of code
- G06K7/1417—2D bar codes
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/30—Administration of product recycling or disposal
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/10—Payment architectures specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q99/00—Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
- G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
- G07F7/0609—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by fluid containers, e.g. bottles, cups, gas containers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q50/00—Systems or methods specially adapted for specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
- G06Q50/10—Services
- G06Q50/26—Government or public services
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
- Y02W90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
Definitions
- This invention was developed in part using funding provided by the Maine Technology Institute under award number DA916, approved on Oct. 13, 2005.
- the state of Maine may have certain rights relating to this invention.
- This invention relates to techniques for managing information related to consumer recycling activities.
- the consumer transports the containers to a return center (e.g., at a retail location such as a supermarket, or a stand-alone redemption center).
- a return center e.g., at a retail location such as a supermarket, or a stand-alone redemption center.
- the consumer may be forced to wait in line while an attendant at the return center serves other consumers.
- the consumer waits while the attendant counts, sorts and verifies the containers.
- the attendant may provide value to the consumer in exchange for the containers, such as legal tender in the amount of the total redemption deposit or some other value.
- the consumer may be forced to wait for a significant period to receive a relatively small value in exchange for the containers, the consumer may be dissuaded from returning containers. This may hinder efforts to encourage recycling.
- a return center generally houses a large, cumbersome apparatus designed to destroy containers so that the material from they are formed may be recovered for reuse.
- the apparatus occupies a large amount of floor space, which may be costly when located in a retail location, since that floor space might otherwise be used to stock products for sale.
- the apparatus because the apparatus stores used beverage containers, it may give off foul odors and have an unsanitary appearance, which may further discourage consumers from visiting the return center. This may also hinder efforts to encourage consumers to recycle beverage containers.
- a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- At least one computer-readable medium having instructions encoded thereon, which instructions, when executed, perform a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities.
- the method comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- a system for managing information relating to consumer recycling activities.
- the system comprises: a transaction controller operable to perform a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; an assignment controller operable to assign a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; an electronic file storage; and a storage controller operable to store, in the electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary technique for managing information relating to recycling and redemption activities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary technique for processing containers returned by a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to recyclable containers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting relationships between one or more redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and consumer information facilities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to consumers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to enter verification information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 7 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or search for information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention
- FIG. 9 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to particular store location, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary computer system on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
- FIG. 12 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary memory on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented.
- a technique for receiving, processing and providing value in exchange for recyclable containers is provided.
- conventional arrangements generally require a consumer to transport recyclable containers to a return center which may not project a sanitary appearance, and where the consumer may be forced to wait for an attendant to accept the containers. This may discourage recycling by consumers.
- the return center typically houses a large processing apparatus that can occupy a significant amount of floor space. This may be costly when the return center is located at a retail locations, since that floor space may otherwise be used to display products for sale. This may also hinder efforts to encourage recycling.
- a return center which offers a significantly improved consumer experience.
- the return center may present a clean look and feel, and not require that a consumer wait in line for an attendant to return recyclable containers.
- the return center may not occupy an unduly large amount of valuable floor space, but instead may be located outside a retail location, such as in a parking lot, which remains convenient for consumers but allows the retail location to devote the floor space that would otherwise be allocated to the processing apparatus to presenting goods for sale.
- a redemption kiosk which in one embodiment is a small prefabricated structure, is provided.
- the structure may be designed to be situated in one or more parking spaces in a lot, or some other area nearby a retail location.
- One or more attendants may be stationed at the redemption kiosk.
- a consumer arrives at the redemption kiosk, he or she may be greeted by one of the attendants, who may preliminarily inspect containers brought by the consumer to the redemption kiosk.
- the attendant may temporarily store the containers inside the redemption kiosk, and provide the consumer with a representation of value (e.g., a paper receipt, coupons, etc.) in exchange for the containers. Later, containers stored at the redemption kiosk may be transported to a processing apparatus at a separate location.
- a representation of value e.g., a paper receipt, coupons, etc.
- a consumer may register for an account prior to visiting the redemption kiosk, allowing the value provided to the consumer in exchange for the containers to be ascribed to the account and eliminating the need for the consumer to wait for an attendant to count the containers to receive that value. This may expedite the process of returning containers from the consumer's perspective, and thus encourage recycling.
- a consumer upon registering for an account, a consumer may be issued an identifier and provided with an article (e.g., a card, keychain tag, bag in which recyclable containers may be stored, etc.) which has the identifier represented (e.g., printed, encoded, etc.) thereon.
- an article e.g., a card, keychain tag, bag in which recyclable containers may be stored, etc.
- the identifier represented e.g., printed, encoded, etc.
- the attendant may provide the consumer with a representation of value (e.g., a receipt) for the containers, which representation may include the consumer's identifier and/or a separate identifier for the transaction.
- the attendant may then store the containers at the redemption kiosk so that they are kept separate from containers received from other consumers.
- containers may be stored in a bag with a paper receipt having the consumer identifier and/or transaction identifier printed thereon.
- the containers may subsequently be transported to a recycling apparatus for processing.
- Information represented on the containers e.g., a bar code or other identifying indicia
- This information may enable the identification of the value that should be provided to the consumer in exchange for the containers.
- Value may be provided in any suitable form, including cash or other form of legal tender, credit, coupons, and/or any other form. Once the value is determined, it may be ascribed to the consumer's account (e.g., using the transaction identifier).
- the consumer may nominate another account (e.g., a financial account such as a checking or savings account) to be linked to the account used for recycling activity, such that value ascribed to the recycling account is automatically ascribed to the linked account.
- a financial account such as a checking or savings account
- the consumer may direct that value ascribed to the recycling account be donated to charity, or be held in the recycling account for the consumer to later withdraw, and/or be assigned, transferred or maintained in any other suitable manner.
- the invention is not limited in this respect.
- FIG. 1 One example of a process for receiving, processing and providing value in exchange for recyclable containers is illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- a consumer 100 arrives at a redemption kiosk 102 and is greeted by an attendant (not shown).
- a redemption kiosk 102 may be physically situated in any suitable location.
- the kiosk is situated at a location which is familiar and convenient to consumers, such as at a retail location (e.g., a grocery or liquor store), and comprises a prefabricated structure situated outside the retail location so as not to occupy valuable floor space therein.
- the structure may be modular to allow for flexible adaptation to a variety of settings.
- the structure when designed to be situated in a parking lot, the structure may be dimensioned to fit in one or more parking spaces, such that the consumer may simply drive up to an adjacent or nearby parking space.
- the structure When designed to be situated in other settings, the structure may be adapted to suit the dimensions and other characteristics of those settings.
- the attendant receives an identifier from the consumer.
- the consumer may supply an article having the consumer identifier represented thereon, such as a card having the identifier electronically encoded thereon and/or a bag holding containers having the identifier printed thereon.
- the attendant may process the article to determine the identifier, such as by using a magnetic card reader, a bar code reader, other device, via visual inspection, or using some other technique.
- a consumer may not have been assigned an identifier before arriving at the redemption kiosk. For example, the consumer may not have registered for an account prior to visiting the kiosk. If this is the case, the attendant may ask the consumer whether he or she wishes to register for an account. If so, a facility may be provided at the redemption kiosk which allows the consumer to register for an account. For example, a computer may be provided which provides a web-based interface to a sign-up screen (e.g., the interface described below with reference to FIGS. 6-11 ), allowing an identifier to be assigned immediately to the consumer. Alternatively, the consumer may be given a form to fill out or be referred to a website to visit later to register.
- a sign-up screen e.g., the interface described below with reference to FIGS. 6-11
- a consumer may have been assigned an identifier before arriving at the redemption kiosk but may not have the article with them which has the identifier represented thereon. For example, the consumer may forget to bring his or her card with the identifier encoded thereon to the kiosk. If so, the consumer may provide the identifier to the attendant verbally, or if the consumer can not remember the identifier, the kiosk may have a facility which allows the attendant to look up the identifier in a database using consumer information, such as the consumer's name, address and/or other information.
- a consumer may not have been assigned an identifier and may not wish to register for an account. If so, the consumer may receive value (e.g., cash) immediately from the attendant in exchange for the containers. This scenario is beyond the scope of the process depicted in FIG. 1 .
- value e.g., cash
- FIG. 1 The remainder of the description of FIG. 1 below assumes that the consumer either registers for an account prior to visiting the redemption kiosk, or that an account is created (and a consumer identifier is assigned) upon the consumer's arrival.
- the consumer identifier is sent to a consumer information facility as part of a request for a transaction identifier.
- the transmission of the consumer identifier to the consumer information facility may be accomplished in any suitable way, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
- the attendant at redemption kiosk 102 employs a device (e.g., a card reader) which is coupled to computer 101 , and computer 101 communicates the consumer identifier via one or more communications networks to consumer information facility 104 .
- the communication network(s) may include any suitable infrastructure and employ any suitable communication protocol(s).
- consumer information facility 104 provides a web service 107 (an implementation well-known to those skilled in the computer programming art) which receives the request sent in act 115 .
- the web service causes a transaction identifier to be generated, such as by accessing consumer database 112 , determining the last transaction identifier assigned, and assigning the next identifier in sequence. A logical relationship is created between the transaction identifier and the consumer identifier.
- the transaction identifier is sent to redemption kiosk 102 , such as by using the same communication network(s) employed in act 115 .
- the attendant When the transaction identifier is received at the redemption kiosk, the attendant preliminarily counts and/or identifies containers provided by the consumer in act 125 . This may be performed manually, using an automatic counting device (e.g., a handheld or automatic scanner or the like), or using any other suitable device and/or technique. Because the count is only preliminary, it need not be exact and can be performed quickly. Based on the preliminary count, the attendant provides the consumer with a representation of value for the containers (e.g., a paper receipt, which may indicate a value attributable to containers received, or another value). The representation may include the transaction identifier and/or consumer identifier.
- the attendant may temporarily store the containers at the redemption kiosk, such as in a shelved area designed for that purpose.
- the containers may be identified as being associated with the considered transaction. For example, a copy of a paper receipt having the transaction identifier printed thereon may be placed with the containers, such as in a bag holding the containers.
- multiple sets of containers may be stored at the redemption kiosk, each having their own associated transaction identifier.
- the containers are subsequently transported in act 135 to container processing facility 106 , where they are processed in act 140 .
- the containers may be transported to a container processing facility 106 by automobile or truck after having been staged for a suitable period, such as a day.
- Processing is performed at facility 106 to identify and process (e.g., destroy and/or densify) each of the containers. This may occur in any suitable fashion, as the invention is not limited to a particular implementation.
- containers may be processed according to techniques disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,479, as described below with reference to FIG. 3 .
- processing in act 140 involves processing each container to determine the container's characteristics.
- a container may have indicia printed thereon (e.g., a bar code) which may be compared to information stored in container processing database 108 to identify the type of container, the material from which it is formed, the distributor to which the material should be delivered, etc. If information on the container can be read and successfully compared to information stored in container processing database 108 , the container is densified (e.g., shredded, crushed or otherwise destroyed). The material produced via densification may be stored at container processing facility 106 , and information relating to the container may be stored in container processing database 108 .
- An exemplary schema for container processing database is described below with reference to FIG. 4 .
- Information stored therein may include a value which should be given to the consumer in exchange for the container.
- Containers which are initially rejected may be manually processed to determine whether value should be provided in exchange. For example, an operator may visually inspect a container. If the operator determines that value should be provided in exchange for the container, the operator may employ an input device (e.g., a handheld scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.) to cause information relating to the container to be entered into container processing database 108 .
- This information may include the container type, size, material, value which should be provided in exchange, and/or any other suitable information. This information may be associated with the considered transaction so that any value attributable to the container may be provided to the consumer.
- the operator may cause the container to be destroyed, but a value may not be associated with the transaction in container processing database 108 .
- act 145 information relating to the containers, and the transaction identifier, is sent from container processing facility 106 to consumer information facility 104 so that an appropriate value for the transaction may be ascribed to the consumer's account.
- the information may be sent in any suitable fashion, such as via the Internet and/or any other suitable data communication network(s), using any suitable infrastructure and/or protocol(s).
- the invention is not limited to a particular implementation.
- the consumer information facility 104 When the information is received at consumer information facility 104 , it is processed in act 150 to ascribe a value for the containers included in the transaction to the consumer's account.
- the consumer's account is determined based on the transaction identifier, employing the logical relationship established between the transaction identifier and the consumer identifier.
- the value that should be applied to the consumer's account may be determined in any of numerous ways.
- an indication of the value to be ascribed may be sent by container processing facility 106 in act 145 and applied by consumer information facility 104 in act 150 .
- the information sent in act 145 may include information on individual containers, such that consumer information facility 104 performs a lookup (e.g., on container information stored in consumer database 112 ) to determine a value attributable to each container that should be applied to the consumer's account.
- a consumer may nominate a separate account to be linked to the recycling account maintained by consumer information facility 104 .
- the separate linked account is at financial institution 114 .
- consumer information facility 104 provides information to financial institution 114 which is usable thereby to credit the value attributable to the containers to the consumer's account at financial institution 114 .
- This information may include, for example, the account number, a routing number for a financial institution at which the account is held, the transaction identifier, the value to be ascribed to the account, and/or other information.
- the financial institution may apply the value for the transaction the consumer's account.
- the consumer may direct that value should be held in the recycling account for subsequent withdrawal.
- the consumer may, for example, be issued a card having a consumer identifier represented thereon which is usable to access this account (e.g., this card may be the article described above with reference to act 110 ).
- the card may be presentable by the consumer, for example, at retail locations, such that value held in the consumer's account may be applied toward purchases and/or other transactions at these retail locations.
- a card need not be issued to the consumer for the consumer to be able to withdraw value from the account. Any suitable technique for allowing a consumer access to the value held in the account may be employed, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
- consumer database 112 information relating to the transaction is stored in consumer database 112 . Any suitable information may be stored, including the types of containers processed in act 140 (e.g., provided to consumer information facility 104 in act 145 ), the date and time the consumer visited the redemption kiosk 104 (e.g., captured during act 117 ), and/or other transaction information. Consumer database 112 may later be queried to access information on redemption activities by particular consumers, the redemption of particular containers, containers provided to particular distributors, and/or other information. This is described in further detail below.
- consumer information facility 104 need not employ a web service 107 to assign a transaction identifier
- container information database 108 need not be co-located with container processing facility 106
- consumer information facility 104 need not be co-located with consumer information database 112 .
- a consumer may instruct that the value for a recycling transaction be given to a charitable organization. The invention is not limited to any particular implementation.
- containers may be transported from the redemption kiosk to a container processing facility. At such a facility, information on the containers may be identified, information relating to the containers may be stored in a database, and the containers may be destroyed.
- a technique for processing containers is described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,479, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Processing Recyclable Containers,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
- relevant portions of the above-referenced application are summarized below, but it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to employing such techniques.
- Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any of numerous ways.
- a container is received by the system in act 210 .
- a container may be manually or automatically fed to the system.
- a container may be presented manually (e.g., by an operator) to the system via an intake platform.
- any suitable intake mechanism may be employed.
- the process proceeds to act 220 , wherein one or more defining characteristics of the container are determined.
- a scanner may be employed to determine a characteristic of the container, such as a bar code or some other identifying indicia represented on the surface of the container. The characteristics may then be compared to information stored in electronic file storage to determine whether the characteristics are known to represent a particular recyclable container.
- act 230 a determination is made as to whether the container characteristics were identified successfully in act 220 .
- act 230 may involve determining whether a scanning device was able to successfully locate a bar code on the surface of the container, and if so, whether the information was compared successfully to data stored in electronic file storage. If it is determined that the container characteristics were not identified successfully, the process proceeds to act 240 , wherein the container is rejected. For example, the container may be directed to a reject bin.
- an indication of the successful identification is stored in electronic file storage and the appropriate densification device for the container is selected.
- information stored in electronic file storage may define an association between a particular characteristic (e.g., a bar code) and a densification device.
- a particular characteristic e.g., a bar code
- an association may define that containers formed from a aluminum should be directed to a shredder device.
- act 250 the process proceeds to act 260 , wherein the container is conveyed to a specific densification device.
- act 270 the container is destroyed using the densification device.
- the container is then received in a bin in act 280 , whereupon process 200 completes.
- FIG. 2 information relating to successfully processed containers is stored in electronic file storage, such as in container processing database 108 .
- a simplified schema 300 defining one manner of storing information in container processing database 108 is shown in FIG. 3 .
- Schema 300 includes representations of a plurality of tables, each containing a plurality of fields (e.g., columns) in which data elements relating to containers are stored. As with many relational databases, certain fields in each table are related to fields in other tables via a foreign key to ensure that information in each table remains consistent.
- container table 305 stores data elements which identify individual containers, including a container identifier, Universal Product Code (UPC), material, color, name, weight and redemption value.
- UPC Universal Product Code
- a foreign key maintains consistency between the container identifier stored in container table 305 and the product identifier stored in transaction summary table 310 , which also stores data elements describing individual redemption transactions.
- This table also stores a transaction identifier, product quantity, and shift during which the considered transaction was processed.
- a foreign key maintains consistency between the transaction identifiers stored in transaction summary table 310 and consumer transaction table 315 , which provides a cross-reference between a consumer identifier (e.g., the identifier represented on the article presented by the consumer in act 110 , FIG. 1 ) and the transaction identifier.
- a consumer identifier e.g., the identifier represented on the article presented by the consumer in act 110 , FIG. 1
- Schema 300 also includes person table 325 , which stores information on distributors or other third parties which receive the containers after processing.
- the person table stores the first name, last name, address and telephone numbers for these parties.
- a foreign key maintains consistency between the person identifier stored in person table 325 and the primary contact person stored in company table 330 , which also stores corporate-level information for the parties named in person table 325 .
- Fields stored in company table 330 include the name, address and telephone number for each party.
- diagnostic logging table 340 which stores information relating to events occurring on the container processing facility for diagnostic purposes.
- This table stores data elements including an event time, machine affected, and code for each captured event. As indicated by the machine affected field, this table may store information on events occurring on more than one container processing facility. Information on events may be transferred between facilities using any suitable technique, such as database replication (e.g., event information stored in one container processing database 108 may be replicated to other, similar databases maintained at other container processing facilities 106 ).
- Schema 300 also includes a representation of redemption site table 350 , which stores information on individual redemption kiosks. Redemption site table 350 stores data elements including the name, address, telephone number and owner for each center.
- scrap container table 360 which stores information on materials from which recyclable containers are formed.
- Scrap container table 360 maintains a cross-reference between various types of materials and the densification device used to process each, and also stores data elements including a color, weight and storage bin for each material type.
- FIG. 4 illustrates one manner in which redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and a consumer information facility may be related or organized. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates that redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and a consumer information facility may be organized in a “hub and spoke” fashion, such that information flows through the spokes formed by redemption kiosks and container processing facilities toward the hub formed by the consumer information facility.
- consumer information facility 104 at the hub receives information from a plurality of container processing facilities 106 A- 106 D.
- Each container processing facility 106 receives information and containers from a plurality of redemption kiosks 102 .
- container processing facility 106 A receives information and containers from redemption kiosks 102 A- 102 C
- container processing facility 106 B receives information and containers from redemption kiosks 102 F- 102 H.
- Information flow from redemption kiosks 102 via container processing facilities 106 to the consumer information facility 104 allows for the aggregation of information relating to consumer recycling activities at consumer information facility 104 , and more specifically in consumer database 112 .
- the hub and spoke organization is flexible in that information need not always flow from redemption kiosks 102 to the same container processing facilities 106 .
- the dotted lines 170 between redemption kiosks 102 D and 102 E and container processing facilities 106 A and 106 B indicates that information may flow from redemption kiosks 102 D and 102 E to either container processing facility 106 A or 106 B.
- the determination of a particular container processing facility 106 to which information (and/or containers) from a particular redemption kiosk 102 is sent may be based on any of numerous factors, including the capacity and workload of each container processing facility, each facility's ability to handle containers of a particular type and/or material, the current status of a facility, and/or other factors.
- each container processing facility 106 information from each container processing facility 106 is provided to a single consumer information facility 104 .
- Each consumer information facility 104 may share information with each other consumer information facility 104 , such as by performing a database replication procedure well-known to those skilled in the art, such that information stored in one consumer database 112 (e.g., maintained at a first consumer information facility 104 ) is replicated to one or more other consumer databases 112 (e.g., maintained at one or more other consumer information facilities 104 ).
- FIG. 4 A simplified schema 500 defining an exemplary manner of storing information in a consumer database 112 is shown in FIG. 5 .
- Schema 500 includes representations of consumer table 505 , consumer transaction table 510 and transaction table 515 .
- Consumer table 505 stores various data identifying individual consumers, including a consumer identifier (also represented on the article described above with reference to act 110 , FIG. 1 ), first name, last name, address and telephone number. Consumer table 505 also stores the consumer's mother's maiden name and high school attended, which may be employed to support security and verification functions described further below. In addition, consumer table 505 stores a bank routing number, bank account number, direct deposit indicator, cash refund indicator, donate to charity indicator and account balance, which may be employed to support transfers of value from the consumer's recycling account to other accounts or transferees. A foreign key 512 is employed to maintain consistency between the consumer identifier in consumer table 505 and the consumer identifier stored in consumer transaction table 510 .
- a consumer identifier also represented on the article described above with reference to act 110 , FIG. 1
- Consumer table 505 also stores the consumer's mother's maiden name and high school attended, which may be employed to support security and verification functions described further below.
- consumer table 505 stores a bank routing number
- container processing database 108 and consumer database 112 provides significant insight into recycling activities by particular consumers, or consumers in aggregate.
- accessing information stored in transaction table 515 can provides insight into the frequency and location of a particular consumer's recycling activities, or can provide an indication of the average value for a recycling transaction across all consumers.
- This information may offer insight into the consumer's favorite beverages, the amount of these beverages that the consumer tends to purchase, the frequency of purchase (or at least the frequency of recycling), and whether there appears to be any seasonality to these purchases.
- the information generated in these queries may be used to fashion marketing offers tailored to the consumer's demonstrated habits, such as by offering coupons to the consumer for her favorite beverages at the time that it appears she would normally purchase them.
- FIGS. 6-10 depict screen interfaces by means of which consumer account information may be established, maintained and administered.
- interface 600 FIG. 6
- includes fields 601 and 602 which allow a user (e.g., an administrator, or the consumer) to provide a user name and password to access a particular account.
- a user e.g., an administrator, or the consumer
- the user may click button 603 to “submit” this information so that the user's identity may be verified.
- the user may click button 604 to “reset” (e.g., remove) information entered into fields 601 and 602 .
- Interface 700 allows a number of data elements relating to a particular consumer to be added and/or edited. For example, a consumer's name may be entered into field 701 , an address may be entered in fields 703 - 706 , and a telephone number may be entered in field 707 . Box 708 allows the user to designate whether a consumer's account is currently active.
- Boxes 709 - 710 allow the user to enter information which forms the basis for a “challenge question” which may be used to verify the consumer's identity, such as when the consumer forgets to bring the article described above having a consumer identifier represented thereon to redemption kiosk 102 .
- box 709 allows the user to select one of “high school attended” and “mother's date of birth” for the challenge question, and box 710 allows the user to enter the appropriate answer.
- Boxes 711 through 714 allow the user to designate whether another account is linked to the recycling account, such that value may be transferred from the recycling account to the designated account.
- a user may designate that any value be kept in the recycling account as “cash” which may later be withdrawn.
- the user may designate a checking account to be linked, using box 713 a savings account may be linked, using box 714 a charity may be designated. If a checking or savings account is designated in boxes 712 - 713 , the user may enter routing and account numbers in boxes 715 - 716 .
- the user may click button 717 to “add/edit” the information entered to consumer database 112 .
- the user may click button 718 to “exit” from interface 700 such that the information is not entered.
- the user may also search for information on particular managers or clerks by entering the employee's first or last name in boxes 804 - 805 and clicking button 806 to “begin search”. This may cause a query to be created and submitted, and the results to be displayed in portion 807 . By clicking button 815 to “view” more detail relating to the selected employee, the user may cause interface 900 ( FIG. 9 ) to be displayed.
- Interface 1000 allows information relating to a particular store (e.g., redemption kiosk) location to be added or edited.
- the user may enter information including a store name, identifier, active indicator, address, telephone number, and fax number for a store location using fields 1001 - 1009 , and click button 1010 to cause the information to be entered to the database.
- the processor 1103 executes a program called an operating system which controls the execution of other computer programs, and provides scheduling, input/output and other device control, accounting, compilation, storage assignment, data management, memory management, communication and data flow control.
- the processor 1103 and operating system define the platform for which application programs and other computer programming languages are written.
- the processor 1103 may also execute one or more programs to implement various functions, such as those which embody aspects of the invention. These programs may be written in a computer programming such as a procedural language, object-oriented language, macro language, or combination thereof.
- Memory 1202 may be located in storage system 1106 , as shown in FIG. 11 , or in memory system 1204 , as shown in FIG. 12 .
- the processor 1103 generally manipulates the data within the integrated circuit memory 1104 , 1202 , and then copies the data to the medium 1201 after processing is completed.
- a variety of mechanisms are known for managing data movement between the medium 1201 and the integrated circuit memory 1104 , 1202 , and the invention is not limited thereto.
- the invention is also not limited to a particular memory system 1204 or storage system 1106 .
- the above-described embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any of numerous ways.
- the above-discussed functionality may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination thereof.
- the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers.
- any component or collection of components that perform the function as described herein may generically be considered as one or more controllers that control the above-described function.
- the one or more controllers may be implemented in numerous, such as with dedicated hardware, or by employing one or more processors which are programmed using microcode or software to perform the functions recited above. Where a controller stores or provides information for system operation, such information may be stored in a central repository, in a plurality of repositories, or a combination thereof.
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for managing information relating to recycling activities. In one embodiment, a method is provided in which a consumer returns beverage containers to a redemption kiosk offering a significantly improved consumer experience. Rather than having to wait for an attendant to count the containers and provide value in exchange, an account is maintained for the consumer to which the containers' value is ascribed. The redemption kiosk projects a neat and sanitary appearance, and is designed to be situated in a parking lot outside a retail location so as not to occupy valuable floor space. Information on consumer recycling activities is captured and analyzed to support marketing activities.
Description
- This application is a divisional of commonly assigned of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/336,359, entitled “TECHNIQUES FOR MANAGING INFORMATION RELATING TO RECYCLABLE CONTAINERS” filed on Jan. 20, 2006, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- This invention was developed in part using funding provided by the Maine Technology Institute under award number DA916, approved on Oct. 13, 2005. The state of Maine may have certain rights relating to this invention.
- This invention relates to techniques for managing information related to consumer recycling activities.
- Many states have enacted legislation requiring that beverage containers carry a redemption deposit to encourage recycling. For example, a number of states impose redemption deposits of up to fifteen cents for each can, bottle, and/or other container sold. In other states in which no redemption deposit is imposed there have been extensive efforts to encourage voluntary recycling by consumers of beverage containers.
- Typically, after the beverages stored in containers have been consumed, the consumer transports the containers to a return center (e.g., at a retail location such as a supermarket, or a stand-alone redemption center). The consumer may be forced to wait in line while an attendant at the return center serves other consumers. When the consumer presents the containers to the attendant, the consumer waits while the attendant counts, sorts and verifies the containers. The attendant may provide value to the consumer in exchange for the containers, such as legal tender in the amount of the total redemption deposit or some other value. Given that the consumer may be forced to wait for a significant period to receive a relatively small value in exchange for the containers, the consumer may be dissuaded from returning containers. This may hinder efforts to encourage recycling.
- A return center generally houses a large, cumbersome apparatus designed to destroy containers so that the material from they are formed may be recovered for reuse. Generally, the apparatus occupies a large amount of floor space, which may be costly when located in a retail location, since that floor space might otherwise be used to stock products for sale. In addition, because the apparatus stores used beverage containers, it may give off foul odors and have an unsanitary appearance, which may further discourage consumers from visiting the return center. This may also hinder efforts to encourage consumers to recycle beverage containers.
- In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities is provided. The method comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- In accordance with another embodiment, at least one computer-readable medium is provided having instructions encoded thereon, which instructions, when executed, perform a method of managing information relating to consumer recycling activities. The method comprises acts of: (A) performing a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; (B) assigning a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; and (C) storing, in electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- In accordance with yet another embodiment, a system is provided for managing information relating to consumer recycling activities. The system comprises: a transaction controller operable to perform a recycling transaction with each of a plurality of consumers, each consumer being identifiable via a consumer identifier, each recycling transaction comprising an exchange of at least one recyclable container returned by a consumer for value; an assignment controller operable to assign a transaction identifier to each recycling transaction; an electronic file storage; and a storage controller operable to store, in the electronic file storage, an indication of each recycling transaction, the indication including the transaction identifier and consumer identifier.
- The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary technique for managing information relating to recycling and redemption activities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting an exemplary technique for processing containers returned by a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to recyclable containers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram depicting relationships between one or more redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and consumer information facilities, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 5 is a representation of an exemplary schema for organizing information relating to consumers, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to enter verification information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a consumer, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 8 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or search for information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 9 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to a manager or clerk, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 10 is a representation of an exemplary screen interface which allows a user to add or edit information relating to particular store location, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 11 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary computer system on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented; and -
FIG. 12 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary memory on which aspects of embodiments of the invention may be implemented. - In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a technique for receiving, processing and providing value in exchange for recyclable containers is provided. As described above, conventional arrangements generally require a consumer to transport recyclable containers to a return center which may not project a sanitary appearance, and where the consumer may be forced to wait for an attendant to accept the containers. This may discourage recycling by consumers. In addition, the return center typically houses a large processing apparatus that can occupy a significant amount of floor space. This may be costly when the return center is located at a retail locations, since that floor space may otherwise be used to display products for sale. This may also hinder efforts to encourage recycling.
- Embodiments of the invention are designed to address these and other issues associated with conventional arrangements. In accordance with one embodiment, a return center is provided which offers a significantly improved consumer experience. For example, the return center may present a clean look and feel, and not require that a consumer wait in line for an attendant to return recyclable containers. Further, the return center may not occupy an unduly large amount of valuable floor space, but instead may be located outside a retail location, such as in a parking lot, which remains convenient for consumers but allows the retail location to devote the floor space that would otherwise be allocated to the processing apparatus to presenting goods for sale.
- In one embodiment, a redemption kiosk, which in one embodiment is a small prefabricated structure, is provided. The structure may be designed to be situated in one or more parking spaces in a lot, or some other area nearby a retail location. One or more attendants may be stationed at the redemption kiosk. When a consumer arrives at the redemption kiosk, he or she may be greeted by one of the attendants, who may preliminarily inspect containers brought by the consumer to the redemption kiosk. Upon inspecting the containers, the attendant may temporarily store the containers inside the redemption kiosk, and provide the consumer with a representation of value (e.g., a paper receipt, coupons, etc.) in exchange for the containers. Later, containers stored at the redemption kiosk may be transported to a processing apparatus at a separate location.
- In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a consumer may register for an account prior to visiting the redemption kiosk, allowing the value provided to the consumer in exchange for the containers to be ascribed to the account and eliminating the need for the consumer to wait for an attendant to count the containers to receive that value. This may expedite the process of returning containers from the consumer's perspective, and thus encourage recycling.
- In accordance with one embodiment, upon registering for an account, a consumer may be issued an identifier and provided with an article (e.g., a card, keychain tag, bag in which recyclable containers may be stored, etc.) which has the identifier represented (e.g., printed, encoded, etc.) thereon. When a consumer visits the redemption kiosk, he or she may provide the article (or identifier) to an attendant, who may initiate a transaction to be associated with that identifier. Upon receiving containers returned by the consumer, the attendant may provide the consumer with a representation of value (e.g., a receipt) for the containers, which representation may include the consumer's identifier and/or a separate identifier for the transaction. The attendant may then store the containers at the redemption kiosk so that they are kept separate from containers received from other consumers. For example, containers may be stored in a bag with a paper receipt having the consumer identifier and/or transaction identifier printed thereon. The containers may subsequently be transported to a recycling apparatus for processing. Information represented on the containers (e.g., a bar code or other identifying indicia) may be captured and stored. This information may enable the identification of the value that should be provided to the consumer in exchange for the containers. Value may be provided in any suitable form, including cash or other form of legal tender, credit, coupons, and/or any other form. Once the value is determined, it may be ascribed to the consumer's account (e.g., using the transaction identifier).
- In one embodiment, the consumer may nominate another account (e.g., a financial account such as a checking or savings account) to be linked to the account used for recycling activity, such that value ascribed to the recycling account is automatically ascribed to the linked account. Alternatively, the consumer may direct that value ascribed to the recycling account be donated to charity, or be held in the recycling account for the consumer to later withdraw, and/or be assigned, transferred or maintained in any other suitable manner. The invention is not limited in this respect.
- One example of a process for receiving, processing and providing value in exchange for recyclable containers is illustrated in
FIG. 1 . Inact 105, aconsumer 100 arrives at aredemption kiosk 102 and is greeted by an attendant (not shown). Aredemption kiosk 102 may be physically situated in any suitable location. In one embodiment, the kiosk is situated at a location which is familiar and convenient to consumers, such as at a retail location (e.g., a grocery or liquor store), and comprises a prefabricated structure situated outside the retail location so as not to occupy valuable floor space therein. The structure may be modular to allow for flexible adaptation to a variety of settings. For example, when designed to be situated in a parking lot, the structure may be dimensioned to fit in one or more parking spaces, such that the consumer may simply drive up to an adjacent or nearby parking space. When designed to be situated in other settings, the structure may be adapted to suit the dimensions and other characteristics of those settings. - In
act 110, the attendant receives an identifier from the consumer. For example, the consumer may supply an article having the consumer identifier represented thereon, such as a card having the identifier electronically encoded thereon and/or a bag holding containers having the identifier printed thereon. The attendant may process the article to determine the identifier, such as by using a magnetic card reader, a bar code reader, other device, via visual inspection, or using some other technique. - In some cases, a consumer may not have been assigned an identifier before arriving at the redemption kiosk. For example, the consumer may not have registered for an account prior to visiting the kiosk. If this is the case, the attendant may ask the consumer whether he or she wishes to register for an account. If so, a facility may be provided at the redemption kiosk which allows the consumer to register for an account. For example, a computer may be provided which provides a web-based interface to a sign-up screen (e.g., the interface described below with reference to
FIGS. 6-11 ), allowing an identifier to be assigned immediately to the consumer. Alternatively, the consumer may be given a form to fill out or be referred to a website to visit later to register. - In other cases, a consumer may have been assigned an identifier before arriving at the redemption kiosk but may not have the article with them which has the identifier represented thereon. For example, the consumer may forget to bring his or her card with the identifier encoded thereon to the kiosk. If so, the consumer may provide the identifier to the attendant verbally, or if the consumer can not remember the identifier, the kiosk may have a facility which allows the attendant to look up the identifier in a database using consumer information, such as the consumer's name, address and/or other information.
- In still other cases, a consumer may not have been assigned an identifier and may not wish to register for an account. If so, the consumer may receive value (e.g., cash) immediately from the attendant in exchange for the containers. This scenario is beyond the scope of the process depicted in
FIG. 1 . The remainder of the description ofFIG. 1 below assumes that the consumer either registers for an account prior to visiting the redemption kiosk, or that an account is created (and a consumer identifier is assigned) upon the consumer's arrival. - Returning to
FIG. 1 , inact 115, the consumer identifier is sent to a consumer information facility as part of a request for a transaction identifier. The transmission of the consumer identifier to the consumer information facility may be accomplished in any suitable way, as the invention is not limited in this respect. In one example, the attendant atredemption kiosk 102 employs a device (e.g., a card reader) which is coupled tocomputer 101, andcomputer 101 communicates the consumer identifier via one or more communications networks toconsumer information facility 104. The communication network(s) may include any suitable infrastructure and employ any suitable communication protocol(s). - In one embodiment,
consumer information facility 104 provides a web service 107 (an implementation well-known to those skilled in the computer programming art) which receives the request sent inact 115. The web service causes a transaction identifier to be generated, such as by accessingconsumer database 112, determining the last transaction identifier assigned, and assigning the next identifier in sequence. A logical relationship is created between the transaction identifier and the consumer identifier. Inact 120, the transaction identifier is sent toredemption kiosk 102, such as by using the same communication network(s) employed inact 115. - When the transaction identifier is received at the redemption kiosk, the attendant preliminarily counts and/or identifies containers provided by the consumer in
act 125. This may be performed manually, using an automatic counting device (e.g., a handheld or automatic scanner or the like), or using any other suitable device and/or technique. Because the count is only preliminary, it need not be exact and can be performed quickly. Based on the preliminary count, the attendant provides the consumer with a representation of value for the containers (e.g., a paper receipt, which may indicate a value attributable to containers received, or another value). The representation may include the transaction identifier and/or consumer identifier. - The attendant may temporarily store the containers at the redemption kiosk, such as in a shelved area designed for that purpose. The containers may be identified as being associated with the considered transaction. For example, a copy of a paper receipt having the transaction identifier printed thereon may be placed with the containers, such as in a bag holding the containers. Of course, multiple sets of containers may be stored at the redemption kiosk, each having their own associated transaction identifier.
- The containers are subsequently transported in
act 135 tocontainer processing facility 106, where they are processed inact 140. For example, the containers may be transported to acontainer processing facility 106 by automobile or truck after having been staged for a suitable period, such as a day. - Processing is performed at
facility 106 to identify and process (e.g., destroy and/or densify) each of the containers. This may occur in any suitable fashion, as the invention is not limited to a particular implementation. In one example, containers may be processed according to techniques disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,479, as described below with reference toFIG. 3 . - In one embodiment, processing in
act 140 involves processing each container to determine the container's characteristics. For example, a container may have indicia printed thereon (e.g., a bar code) which may be compared to information stored incontainer processing database 108 to identify the type of container, the material from which it is formed, the distributor to which the material should be delivered, etc. If information on the container can be read and successfully compared to information stored incontainer processing database 108, the container is densified (e.g., shredded, crushed or otherwise destroyed). The material produced via densification may be stored atcontainer processing facility 106, and information relating to the container may be stored incontainer processing database 108. An exemplary schema for container processing database is described below with reference toFIG. 4 . Information stored therein may include a value which should be given to the consumer in exchange for the container. - If information on a container can not be read or successfully compared to information in
container processing database 108, the container may be initially rejected. Containers which are initially rejected may be manually processed to determine whether value should be provided in exchange. For example, an operator may visually inspect a container. If the operator determines that value should be provided in exchange for the container, the operator may employ an input device (e.g., a handheld scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.) to cause information relating to the container to be entered intocontainer processing database 108. This information may include the container type, size, material, value which should be provided in exchange, and/or any other suitable information. This information may be associated with the considered transaction so that any value attributable to the container may be provided to the consumer. - If the operator determines that the container is one for which no value should be provided (e.g., if the container is being redeemed for deposit in a state other than the one in which it was purchased), then the operator may cause the container to be destroyed, but a value may not be associated with the transaction in
container processing database 108. - In
act 145, information relating to the containers, and the transaction identifier, is sent fromcontainer processing facility 106 toconsumer information facility 104 so that an appropriate value for the transaction may be ascribed to the consumer's account. The information may be sent in any suitable fashion, such as via the Internet and/or any other suitable data communication network(s), using any suitable infrastructure and/or protocol(s). The invention is not limited to a particular implementation. - When the information is received at
consumer information facility 104, it is processed inact 150 to ascribe a value for the containers included in the transaction to the consumer's account. In one embodiment, the consumer's account is determined based on the transaction identifier, employing the logical relationship established between the transaction identifier and the consumer identifier. - The value that should be applied to the consumer's account may be determined in any of numerous ways. In one example, an indication of the value to be ascribed may be sent by
container processing facility 106 inact 145 and applied byconsumer information facility 104 inact 150. In another example, the information sent inact 145 may include information on individual containers, such thatconsumer information facility 104 performs a lookup (e.g., on container information stored in consumer database 112) to determine a value attributable to each container that should be applied to the consumer's account. - As described above, a consumer may nominate a separate account to be linked to the recycling account maintained by
consumer information facility 104. In the embodiment shown, the separate linked account is atfinancial institution 114. Inact 155,consumer information facility 104 provides information tofinancial institution 114 which is usable thereby to credit the value attributable to the containers to the consumer's account atfinancial institution 114. This information may include, for example, the account number, a routing number for a financial institution at which the account is held, the transaction identifier, the value to be ascribed to the account, and/or other information. When this information is provided, the financial institution may apply the value for the transaction the consumer's account. - As an alternative, instead of nominating a separate linked account to which value should be transferred, the consumer may direct that value should be held in the recycling account for subsequent withdrawal. The consumer may, for example, be issued a card having a consumer identifier represented thereon which is usable to access this account (e.g., this card may be the article described above with reference to act 110). The card may be presentable by the consumer, for example, at retail locations, such that value held in the consumer's account may be applied toward purchases and/or other transactions at these retail locations. Of course, a card need not be issued to the consumer for the consumer to be able to withdraw value from the account. Any suitable technique for allowing a consumer access to the value held in the account may be employed, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
- In
act 160, information relating to the transaction is stored inconsumer database 112. Any suitable information may be stored, including the types of containers processed in act 140 (e.g., provided toconsumer information facility 104 in act 145), the date and time the consumer visited the redemption kiosk 104 (e.g., captured during act 117), and/or other transaction information.Consumer database 112 may later be queried to access information on redemption activities by particular consumers, the redemption of particular containers, containers provided to particular distributors, and/or other information. This is described in further detail below. - It should be appreciated that the process described with reference to
FIG. 1 is merely an example, and that numerous variations are possible. For example,consumer information facility 104 need not employ aweb service 107 to assign a transaction identifier,container information database 108 need not be co-located withcontainer processing facility 106, andconsumer information facility 104 need not be co-located withconsumer information database 112. Further, instead of linking a financial account to his or her recycling account, a consumer may instruct that the value for a recycling transaction be given to a charitable organization. The invention is not limited to any particular implementation. - As described above, containers may be transported from the redemption kiosk to a container processing facility. At such a facility, information on the containers may be identified, information relating to the containers may be stored in a database, and the containers may be destroyed. One example of a technique for processing containers is described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/042,479, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Processing Recyclable Containers,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For ease of description, relevant portions of the above-referenced application are summarized below, but it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to employing such techniques. Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any of numerous ways.
- The exemplary container processing technique described in the above-referenced application is summarized below with reference to
FIG. 2 . At the start ofprocess 200, a container is received by the system inact 210. A container may be manually or automatically fed to the system. In one embodiment, a container may be presented manually (e.g., by an operator) to the system via an intake platform. However, any suitable intake mechanism may be employed. - At the completion of
act 210, the process proceeds to act 220, wherein one or more defining characteristics of the container are determined. For example, a scanner may be employed to determine a characteristic of the container, such as a bar code or some other identifying indicia represented on the surface of the container. The characteristics may then be compared to information stored in electronic file storage to determine whether the characteristics are known to represent a particular recyclable container. - The process then proceeds to act 230, wherein a determination is made as to whether the container characteristics were identified successfully in
act 220. For example, act 230 may involve determining whether a scanning device was able to successfully locate a bar code on the surface of the container, and if so, whether the information was compared successfully to data stored in electronic file storage. If it is determined that the container characteristics were not identified successfully, the process proceeds to act 240, wherein the container is rejected. For example, the container may be directed to a reject bin. - If it is determined in
act 230 that the characteristics of the container were identified successfully inact 220, the process proceeds to act 250, wherein an indication of the successful identification is stored in electronic file storage and the appropriate densification device for the container is selected. In one embodiment, information stored in electronic file storage may define an association between a particular characteristic (e.g., a bar code) and a densification device. For example, an association may define that containers formed from a aluminum should be directed to a shredder device. - At the completion of
act 250, the process proceeds to act 260, wherein the container is conveyed to a specific densification device. Inact 270, the container is destroyed using the densification device. The container is then received in a bin inact 280, whereuponprocess 200 completes. - During the process of
FIG. 2 , information relating to successfully processed containers is stored in electronic file storage, such as incontainer processing database 108. Asimplified schema 300 defining one manner of storing information incontainer processing database 108 is shown inFIG. 3 . -
Schema 300 includes representations of a plurality of tables, each containing a plurality of fields (e.g., columns) in which data elements relating to containers are stored. As with many relational databases, certain fields in each table are related to fields in other tables via a foreign key to ensure that information in each table remains consistent. In thisexemplary schema 300, container table 305 stores data elements which identify individual containers, including a container identifier, Universal Product Code (UPC), material, color, name, weight and redemption value. A foreign key maintains consistency between the container identifier stored in container table 305 and the product identifier stored in transaction summary table 310, which also stores data elements describing individual redemption transactions. This table also stores a transaction identifier, product quantity, and shift during which the considered transaction was processed. A foreign key maintains consistency between the transaction identifiers stored in transaction summary table 310 and consumer transaction table 315, which provides a cross-reference between a consumer identifier (e.g., the identifier represented on the article presented by the consumer inact 110,FIG. 1 ) and the transaction identifier. -
Schema 300 also includes person table 325, which stores information on distributors or other third parties which receive the containers after processing. The person table stores the first name, last name, address and telephone numbers for these parties. A foreign key maintains consistency between the person identifier stored in person table 325 and the primary contact person stored in company table 330, which also stores corporate-level information for the parties named in person table 325. Fields stored in company table 330 include the name, address and telephone number for each party. - Also represented by
schema 300 is diagnostic logging table 340, which stores information relating to events occurring on the container processing facility for diagnostic purposes. This table stores data elements including an event time, machine affected, and code for each captured event. As indicated by the machine affected field, this table may store information on events occurring on more than one container processing facility. Information on events may be transferred between facilities using any suitable technique, such as database replication (e.g., event information stored in onecontainer processing database 108 may be replicated to other, similar databases maintained at other container processing facilities 106). -
Schema 300 also includes a representation of redemption site table 350, which stores information on individual redemption kiosks. Redemption site table 350 stores data elements including the name, address, telephone number and owner for each center. - Also represented by
schema 300 is scrap container table 360, which stores information on materials from which recyclable containers are formed. Scrap container table 360 maintains a cross-reference between various types of materials and the densification device used to process each, and also stores data elements including a color, weight and storage bin for each material type. - The manner in which
schema 300 is organized provides for flexible relationships between different information stored in various tables. One result is thatschema 300 allows for one-to-many, many-to-one and many-to-many relationships between redemption kiosks and container processing facilities.FIG. 4 illustrates one manner in which redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and a consumer information facility may be related or organized. Specifically,FIG. 4 illustrates that redemption kiosks, container processing facilities and a consumer information facility may be organized in a “hub and spoke” fashion, such that information flows through the spokes formed by redemption kiosks and container processing facilities toward the hub formed by the consumer information facility. - In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4 ,consumer information facility 104 at the hub receives information from a plurality ofcontainer processing facilities 106A-106D. Eachcontainer processing facility 106 receives information and containers from a plurality ofredemption kiosks 102. For example,container processing facility 106A receives information and containers fromredemption kiosks 102A-102C, andcontainer processing facility 106B receives information and containers fromredemption kiosks 102F-102H. Information flow fromredemption kiosks 102 viacontainer processing facilities 106 to theconsumer information facility 104 allows for the aggregation of information relating to consumer recycling activities atconsumer information facility 104, and more specifically inconsumer database 112. - As indicated by the dotted
lines 170 inFIG. 4 , the hub and spoke organization is flexible in that information need not always flow fromredemption kiosks 102 to the samecontainer processing facilities 106. For example, the dottedlines 170 betweenredemption kiosks container processing facilities redemption kiosks container processing facility container processing facility 106 to which information (and/or containers) from aparticular redemption kiosk 102 is sent may be based on any of numerous factors, including the capacity and workload of each container processing facility, each facility's ability to handle containers of a particular type and/or material, the current status of a facility, and/or other factors. - In the exemplary arrangement illustrated in
FIG. 4 , information from eachcontainer processing facility 106 is provided to a singleconsumer information facility 104. However, this need not be the case, as multipleconsumer information facilities 104 may alternatively be provided, each receiving information from one or morecontainer processing facilities 106. Eachconsumer information facility 104 may share information with each otherconsumer information facility 104, such as by performing a database replication procedure well-known to those skilled in the art, such that information stored in one consumer database 112 (e.g., maintained at a first consumer information facility 104) is replicated to one or more other consumer databases 112 (e.g., maintained at one or more other consumer information facilities 104). - As a result of the organization shown in
FIG. 4 , information relating to consumer recycling activities may be aggregated and organized in one ormore consumer databases 112. Asimplified schema 500 defining an exemplary manner of storing information in aconsumer database 112 is shown inFIG. 5 .Schema 500 includes representations of consumer table 505, consumer transaction table 510 and transaction table 515. - Consumer table 505 stores various data identifying individual consumers, including a consumer identifier (also represented on the article described above with reference to act 110,
FIG. 1 ), first name, last name, address and telephone number. Consumer table 505 also stores the consumer's mother's maiden name and high school attended, which may be employed to support security and verification functions described further below. In addition, consumer table 505 stores a bank routing number, bank account number, direct deposit indicator, cash refund indicator, donate to charity indicator and account balance, which may be employed to support transfers of value from the consumer's recycling account to other accounts or transferees. Aforeign key 512 is employed to maintain consistency between the consumer identifier in consumer table 505 and the consumer identifier stored in consumer transaction table 510. - Consumer transaction table 510 maintains a cross-reference between the consumer identifier and transaction identifier generated in act 117 (
FIG. 1 ). As such, in addition to the foreign key used to maintain consistency with the consumer identifier in consumer table 505, aforeign key 514 is employed to maintain consistency with the transaction identifier stored in transaction table 515. - Transaction table 515 stores information relating to recycling transactions. In addition to the transaction identifier, transaction table 515 stores an amount for the transaction, which for a particular transaction may be preliminarily defined when an attendant counts the beverage containers that a consumer returns to the redemption kiosk 102 (e.g., in
act 125,FIG. 1 ) and later updated after the containers are processed at a container processing facility 106 (e.g., inact 150,FIG. 1 ). Transaction table 515 also stores an identifier for the attendant who processes the recycling transaction, the location of the redemption kiosk (e.g., a geographic location), the consumer identifier, and the time and date of the transaction. - It should be appreciated that the information stored in
container processing database 108 andconsumer database 112 provides significant insight into recycling activities by particular consumers, or consumers in aggregate. For example, accessing information stored in transaction table 515 (FIG. 5 ) can provides insight into the frequency and location of a particular consumer's recycling activities, or can provide an indication of the average value for a recycling transaction across all consumers. - It should also be appreciated that because
container processing database 108 andconsumer database 112 store common data elements including the consumer identifier and transaction identifier, information stored in one database may be cross-referenced with information in the other database to provide a more comprehensive view of consumer recycling and beverage consumption activities. For example, a query may be executed on transaction table 515 using a particular consumer identifier to determine the frequency of that consumer's recycling activities, and the transaction identifier associated with each recycling transaction. Using the transaction identifiers determined in this first query, a second query may be executed on transaction summary table 310 (FIG. 3 ) to determine the beverage containers, and quantity of each, processed in each transaction. This information may offer insight into the consumer's favorite beverages, the amount of these beverages that the consumer tends to purchase, the frequency of purchase (or at least the frequency of recycling), and whether there appears to be any seasonality to these purchases. The information generated in these queries may be used to fashion marketing offers tailored to the consumer's demonstrated habits, such as by offering coupons to the consumer for her favorite beverages at the time that it appears she would normally purchase them. - Further, it should be appreciated that
databases -
FIGS. 6-10 depict screen interfaces by means of which consumer account information may be established, maintained and administered. For example, interface 600 (FIG. 6 ) includesfields fields button 603 to “submit” this information so that the user's identity may be verified. Alternatively, the user may clickbutton 604 to “reset” (e.g., remove) information entered intofields - If upon clicking
button 603 the user's identity is successfully verified, interface 700 (FIG. 7 ) may be presented.Interface 700 allows a number of data elements relating to a particular consumer to be added and/or edited. For example, a consumer's name may be entered intofield 701, an address may be entered in fields 703-706, and a telephone number may be entered infield 707.Box 708 allows the user to designate whether a consumer's account is currently active. - Boxes 709-710 allow the user to enter information which forms the basis for a “challenge question” which may be used to verify the consumer's identity, such as when the consumer forgets to bring the article described above having a consumer identifier represented thereon to
redemption kiosk 102. For example,box 709 allows the user to select one of “high school attended” and “mother's date of birth” for the challenge question, andbox 710 allows the user to enter the appropriate answer. -
Boxes 711 through 714 allow the user to designate whether another account is linked to the recycling account, such that value may be transferred from the recycling account to the designated account. Usingbox 711, a user may designate that any value be kept in the recycling account as “cash” which may later be withdrawn. Usingbox 712 the user may designate a checking account to be linked, using box 713 a savings account may be linked, using box 714 a charity may be designated. If a checking or savings account is designated in boxes 712-713, the user may enter routing and account numbers in boxes 715-716. - Upon completing the entry of information in
interface 700, the user may clickbutton 717 to “add/edit” the information entered toconsumer database 112. Alternatively, the user may clickbutton 718 to “exit” frominterface 700 such that the information is not entered. - Interface 800 (
FIG. 8 ) allows the user to add or edit a manager or clerk to the database (e.g., an attendant or employee), who may have authority to access or edit consumer accounts. By clickingbutton 801, the user begins the “add manager/clerk” process. After, the user may select from a listing of positions inbox 802, a listing of locations shown inbox 803, and enter the employee's first and last name in boxes 804-805. - The user may also search for information on particular managers or clerks by entering the employee's first or last name in boxes 804-805 and clicking
button 806 to “begin search”. This may cause a query to be created and submitted, and the results to be displayed inportion 807. By clickingbutton 815 to “view” more detail relating to the selected employee, the user may cause interface 900 (FIG. 9 ) to be displayed. -
Interface 900 allows information relating to a particular manager or clerk to be added or edited. For example, the manager or clerk's first name, last name, identifier, position, active indicator, location, user name and password may be accessed in boxes 901-905, respectively. In order for the entered information to be added to the database, the user may be required to supply a user name and password in boxes 907-908 and clickbox 909 to “update” the database. - Interface 1000 (
FIG. 10 ) allows information relating to a particular store (e.g., redemption kiosk) location to be added or edited. For example, the user may enter information including a store name, identifier, active indicator, address, telephone number, and fax number for a store location using fields 1001-1009, and clickbutton 1010 to cause the information to be entered to the database. - As should be appreciated from the description above, various aspects of the invention may be implemented on one or more computer systems, such as the
exemplary system 1100 shown inFIG. 11 .Computer system 1100 includes input device(s) 1102, output device(s) 1101,processor 1103,memory system 1104 andstorage 1106, all of which are coupled, directly or indirectly, viainterconnection mechanism 1105, which may comprise one or more buses or switches. The input device(s) 1102 receive input from a user or machine (a human operator) and the output device(s) 1101 display(s) or transmit(s) information to a user or a machine (e.g., a liquid crystal display). - The
processor 1103 executes a program called an operating system which controls the execution of other computer programs, and provides scheduling, input/output and other device control, accounting, compilation, storage assignment, data management, memory management, communication and data flow control. Theprocessor 1103 and operating system define the platform for which application programs and other computer programming languages are written. - The
processor 1103 may also execute one or more programs to implement various functions, such as those which embody aspects of the invention. These programs may be written in a computer programming such as a procedural language, object-oriented language, macro language, or combination thereof. - These programs may be stored in
storage system 1106. The storage system may hold information on a volatile or non-volatile medium, and may be fixed or removable.Storage system 1106 is shown in greater detail inFIG. 12 . It typically includes a computer-readable and -writablenon-volatile recording medium 1201, on which signals that define the program, or information to be used by the program, are stored. The medium may, for example, be a disk or flash memory. Typically, in operation, the processor 1203 causes data to be read from thenon-volatile recording medium 1201 into a volatile memory 1202 (e.g., a random access memory, or RAM) that allows for faster access to the information by processor 1203 than does the medium 1201.Memory 1202 may be located instorage system 1106, as shown inFIG. 11 , or in memory system 1204, as shown inFIG. 12 . Theprocessor 1103 generally manipulates the data within the integratedcircuit memory integrated circuit memory storage system 1106. - It should also be appreciated that the above-described embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any of numerous ways. For example, the above-discussed functionality may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the software code can be executed on any suitable processor or collection of processors, whether provided in a single computer or distributed among multiple computers. It should further be appreciated that any component or collection of components that perform the function as described herein may generically be considered as one or more controllers that control the above-described function. The one or more controllers may be implemented in numerous, such as with dedicated hardware, or by employing one or more processors which are programmed using microcode or software to perform the functions recited above. Where a controller stores or provides information for system operation, such information may be stored in a central repository, in a plurality of repositories, or a combination thereof.
- Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
Claims (18)
1. A method for performing a redemption transaction involving a return of recyclable containers by a consumer to a return center and a transfer of value to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers, the method comprising:
(A) providing, at a first time, a receptacle to a consumer, the receptacle being usable by the consumer to drop off recyclable containers at the return center;
(B) receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, the receptacle, containing recyclable containers, at the return center, the receptacle being identified via an identifier;
(C) processing the recyclable containers, the act of processing including determining a value to be provided to the consumer in exchange for the recyclable containers; and
(D) making the value determined in (C) available in an account accessible to the consumer.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the identifier is a consumer identifier.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the identifier is a transaction identifier, (A) comprises creating a logical relationship between the transaction identifier and a consumer identifier, and (D) comprises employing the logical relationship to transfer the value to the account used by the consumer.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the act (B) comprises receiving the receptacle having the identifier printed thereon.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(E) receiving a consumer identifier from the consumer;
(F) employing the consumer identifier to determine an amount available in the account; and
(G) providing a selected amount to the consumer, the selected amount comprising at least a portion of the amount available in the account.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein (E) further comprises receiving the consumer identifier via a scanner which detects the consumer identifier on an article presented by the consumer.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the value determined in (C) is embodied in one or more of cash, credit, and coupons.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
(E) receiving an indication from the consumer that at least a portion of the value in the account is to be donated to charity.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein (C) comprises transporting the recyclable containers to a facility for processing.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein (B) comprises providing a receipt to the consumer for the recyclable containers contained in the receptacle.
11. A system for performing redemption transactions, comprising:
a receptacle provision facility operable to provide a receptacle, usable for dropping off recyclable containers, to a consumer, a provided receptacle being identified via an identifier;
a receptacle receipt facility operable to receive a receptacle from a consumer containing recyclable containers;
a recyclable container processing facility operable to receive recyclable containers contained in a receptacle and to determine a value to be provided in exchange for the recyclable containers; and
a value accessibility facility operable to make the value determined by the recyclable container processing facility available in an account accessible to a consumer.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a consumer identifier.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the identifier is a transaction identifier, the receptacle provision facility is operable to create a logical relationship between the transaction identifier and a consumer identifier, and the value accessibility facility is operable to employ the logical relationship to make the value available in an account accessible by the consumer.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein a provided receptacle has an identifier printed thereon.
15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
an account value determination facility operable to employ a consumer identifier in determining an amount available in an account; and
a withdrawal facility to enable a consumer to withdraw a selected amount, the selected amount comprising at least a portion of the amount available in the account.
16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the value determined by the recyclable container processing facility is embodied in one or more of cash, credit, and coupons.
17. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
an indication receipt facility operable to receive an indication from the consumer that at least a portion of the value in the account is to be donated to charity.
18. The system of claim 11 , wherein the receptacle receipt facility is operable to provide a receipt to the consumer for the recyclable containers contained in the receptacle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/026,813 US20110145173A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2011-02-14 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/336,359 US20070174071A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-01-20 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US13/026,813 US20110145173A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2011-02-14 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/336,359 Division US20070174071A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-01-20 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110145173A1 true US20110145173A1 (en) | 2011-06-16 |
Family
ID=38286608
Family Applications (8)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/336,359 Abandoned US20070174071A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-01-20 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US13/026,813 Abandoned US20110145173A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2011-02-14 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US13/564,307 Active US9047652B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2012-08-01 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US14/696,850 Abandoned US20150235185A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2015-04-27 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US15/582,438 Active US10089685B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2017-04-28 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US16/120,176 Active US10607283B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2018-08-31 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US16/816,099 Active US11037235B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2020-03-11 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US17/321,937 Active US11636535B1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2021-05-17 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/336,359 Abandoned US20070174071A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2006-01-20 | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
Family Applications After (6)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/564,307 Active US9047652B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2012-08-01 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US14/696,850 Abandoned US20150235185A1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2015-04-27 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US15/582,438 Active US10089685B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2017-04-28 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US16/120,176 Active US10607283B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2018-08-31 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US16/816,099 Active US11037235B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2020-03-11 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US17/321,937 Active US11636535B1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2021-05-17 | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (8) | US20070174071A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070174071A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US20070276686A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-11-29 | Count & Crush, Llc | Techniques for processing recyclable containers |
US9888160B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2018-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Intelligent recycling container |
US9890914B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2018-02-13 | Raves Equipment Company | Lighting assembly |
EP3310694A4 (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2018-12-05 | Berry, Matthew, P. | Creating advertising based on collected recyclable materials |
US10210693B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2019-02-19 | Waèl M. Hannawa | Reverse vending machine incorporating a method of cleaning therein |
US10494814B2 (en) | 2013-08-07 | 2019-12-03 | Edmund MEI | Cantilevered portion of a light frame construction building using structural engineered wood rim boards |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITPZ20120007A1 (en) * | 2012-10-09 | 2013-01-08 | Ivano Spera | OPTICAL READER FOR URBAN WASTE |
EP3692493A4 (en) | 2017-09-01 | 2021-08-11 | Put Corp. | Computerized applications for coordinating delivery data with mobile computing devices |
CN107741973A (en) * | 2017-10-13 | 2018-02-27 | 上海工程技术大学 | A kind of waste and old clothing intelligence data collection storehouse system and data base management method |
JP2022525992A (en) * | 2019-03-29 | 2022-05-20 | テトラ ラバル ホールディングス アンド ファイナンス エス エイ | Methods and equipment for tracking food packaging to ensure effective recycling |
CN111489489B (en) * | 2020-04-27 | 2021-03-30 | 杭州点坤科技有限公司 | Driving device of license recycling machine |
Citations (70)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4440284A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1984-04-03 | Environmental Products Corporation | Automated aluminum can redemption center for direct return deposit payout |
US4579216A (en) * | 1984-09-17 | 1986-04-01 | Environmental Products Company | Returnable container redemption method |
US4829428A (en) * | 1985-07-11 | 1989-05-09 | Empire Returns Corporation | Beverage container sorting, accounting, and disposal method with compartmentalized hamper and can crusher |
US4943955A (en) * | 1988-03-03 | 1990-07-24 | Societe D'etudes, Recherches Et Constructions Electroniques - Sercel | Atomic clock |
US5004392A (en) * | 1984-02-20 | 1991-04-02 | Zoller-Kipper Gmbh | Device for emptying containers, especially refuse bins |
US5042634A (en) * | 1989-03-28 | 1991-08-27 | Govoni Spa | Collection and recycling unit for used containers |
US5226519A (en) * | 1991-04-29 | 1993-07-13 | Environmental Products Corporation | Multiple use commodity collection and storage system |
US5248102A (en) * | 1992-06-15 | 1993-09-28 | Tomra Systems A/S | Device for handling empty beverage containers |
US5249689A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-10-05 | Tomra Systems A/S | Handling and compacting of empty beverage cans |
US5251546A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-10-12 | Tomra Systems A/S | Handling and compacting of empty beverage cans |
US5304744A (en) * | 1992-02-21 | 1994-04-19 | Jensen Asger R | Method of collecting and recording refuse |
US5326939A (en) * | 1990-08-14 | 1994-07-05 | Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung | Identification unit for garbage cans |
US5462153A (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 1995-10-31 | Tomra Systems A/S | Container handling system |
US5464976A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1995-11-07 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Bar code reader having dual mirror oscillating assembly with different orientation of oscillation |
US5484995A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1996-01-16 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Pulse drive circuit for bar code reader resonant oscillator |
US5522311A (en) * | 1995-05-12 | 1996-06-04 | Tomra Systems A/S | Beverage container compacting device having endless belts with puncturing members |
US5559319A (en) * | 1993-12-24 | 1996-09-24 | Opticon Sensors Europe Bv | Oscillation bar code reader |
US5566066A (en) * | 1994-02-25 | 1996-10-15 | Resource Recycling Technologies, Inc. | Method of recycling used beverage containers |
US5565846A (en) * | 1994-04-25 | 1996-10-15 | Indala Corporation | Reader system for waste bin pickup vehicles |
US5611270A (en) * | 1991-07-29 | 1997-03-18 | Harrington; John | Recycling center with portable table top recycling receptacle |
US5614706A (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1997-03-25 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Bar code scanning assembly with cantilevered or torsionally vibrating flexural member |
US5628408A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1997-05-13 | Tomra Systems A/S | Device for handling empty beverage containers |
US5644489A (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1997-07-01 | Hagenbuch; Leroy G. | Apparatus and method for identifying containers from which material is collected and loaded onto a haulage vehicle |
US5832457A (en) * | 1991-05-06 | 1998-11-03 | Catalina Marketing International, Inc. | Method and apparatus for selective distribution of discount coupons based on prior customer behavior |
US5860503A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1999-01-19 | Tomra Systems A/S | Reverse vending apparatus |
US5888027A (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1999-03-30 | Buer; Jeffrey J. | Method of collecting recyclable containers from a redemption center for separating at a separating facility |
US5934440A (en) * | 1996-07-12 | 1999-08-10 | Tomra Systems Asa | Conveyor device for inspecting containers and transporting them to selected destinations |
US5960402A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1999-09-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Information management apparatus dealing with waste and waste recycle planning supporting apparatus |
US6000832A (en) * | 1997-09-24 | 1999-12-14 | Microsoft Corporation | Electronic online commerce card with customer generated transaction proxy number for online transactions |
US6006995A (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1999-12-28 | Metrologic Instruments Inc. | System for reading bar code symbol on containers having arbitrary surface geometry |
US6010239A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 2000-01-04 | Hardgrave; William David | Automatic item-driven system for deposit and pick-up |
US6191691B1 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2001-02-20 | Compagnie Plastic Omnium | Refuse bin fitted with a transponder |
US6199702B1 (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 2001-03-13 | Midamerica Recycling Co. | Method and apparatus for collecting and removing recyclable containers from a redemption center for transport to a separating facility and separating the containers and their components |
US6302461B1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 2001-10-16 | Compagnie Plastic Omnium | Transport and/or collection device made of molded plastics material and including an identity device, and a method of manufacture |
US20020194144A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2002-12-19 | Berry Matthew P. | Method and system for collecting recyclable waste |
US6510376B2 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2003-01-21 | Matthew Burnstein | Method to control refuse management fleets |
US6580965B2 (en) * | 2000-06-08 | 2003-06-17 | Exy Concept Co., Ltd. | Raw garbage liquefying apparatus and method of managing same |
US20030140828A1 (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | Asia Pacific Environmental Technology, Inc. | Integrated waste containment and processing system |
US6637657B2 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2003-10-28 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Compact scan module with magnetically centered scan mirror |
US6648227B2 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2003-11-18 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Scanning module for a bar code reader with a focusing lens |
US20030215260A1 (en) * | 2002-03-06 | 2003-11-20 | Yoshihiro Morii | Recycling apparatus, recycling method, and recycled product |
WO2004045990A2 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2004-06-03 | Michael Frederick Underwood | Waste management system |
US20040148189A1 (en) * | 2001-04-30 | 2004-07-29 | Stoffelsma Bouke Christiaan | Deposit return system for disposable packaging articles |
US20040199545A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-10-07 | Frederico Wagner | Networked disposal and replenishment apparatus |
US20040199401A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-10-07 | Frederico Wagner | Networked waste processing apparatus |
US6811030B1 (en) * | 2003-04-09 | 2004-11-02 | Robert E. Compton | Method for recycling |
US6871184B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2005-03-22 | Barnet L. Liberman | Method of delivering groceries purchased over the internet |
US20050080520A1 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2005-04-14 | Robert Kline | Waste recovery and material handling process to replace the traditional trash transfer station and landfil by extracting reusable material and energy from joined refuse streams to include; office waste, dry waste, wet garbage and the special hazardous material handling of biological, chemical, and nuclear waste |
US20050246225A1 (en) * | 2002-07-05 | 2005-11-03 | Tomra Systems Asa | Method, system, reverse vending machine and use thereof for handling empty packaging |
US20060089909A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-04-27 | First National Technologies Inc. | Cardless transaction system |
US7069236B1 (en) * | 2000-07-10 | 2006-06-27 | Canon Usa, Inc. | System and methods to effect return of a consumer product |
US7080777B2 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2006-07-25 | Ikan Technologies Inc. | Networked disposal and information distribution apparatus |
US20060163028A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Evergreen Environmental, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for the management of information related to recyclable containers |
US20060163397A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Evergreen Environmental, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing recyclable containers |
US20060178933A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2006-08-10 | Fitzgerald Patrick K | Method and system for improving recycling through the use of financial incentives |
US20060235808A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2006-10-19 | Berry Matthew P | System for managing recyclable and non-recyclable materials |
US20070174073A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Management of information related to recyclable containers |
US20070174071A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US20070276686A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-11-29 | Count & Crush, Llc | Techniques for processing recyclable containers |
US7317962B2 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-01-08 | Count & Crush, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information related to recyclable containers |
US20080027581A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-01-31 | Tomra Systems Asa | Means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects |
US7347358B2 (en) * | 2001-11-23 | 2008-03-25 | De La Rue International, Ltd. | Depositing items of value |
US20080086411A1 (en) * | 2006-10-04 | 2008-04-10 | Olson Robert A | REC credit distribution system and method |
US20080177624A9 (en) * | 2005-09-01 | 2008-07-24 | Dohse Ryan W | Receipt Card Systems |
US20080283356A1 (en) * | 2004-07-05 | 2008-11-20 | Tomra Systems Asa | Method and System For Handling Empty Packaging |
US20090024479A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2009-01-22 | Recyclebank Llc | Community-based recycling system and methods thereof |
US20090138358A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2009-05-28 | Ron Gonen | System and method for managing an incentive-based recycling program |
US8042850B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2011-10-25 | Inno-Labs, Lp | Flexible skewer system for supporting food during cooking |
US20120265589A1 (en) * | 2011-04-15 | 2012-10-18 | Frank Whittier | Method For Collection And Processing For Recycling |
US20130030988A1 (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2013-01-31 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Charitable donation of proceeds from recycling activity |
Family Cites Families (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4510857A (en) * | 1983-12-08 | 1985-04-16 | Aluminum Company Of America | Container recycling apparatus having shock mounted manually rotatable carrier |
US5111927A (en) * | 1990-01-05 | 1992-05-12 | Schulze Jr Everett E | Automated recycling machine |
US5465822A (en) * | 1992-03-16 | 1995-11-14 | Environmental Products Corporation | Commodity densification assembly having a multiple path distribution device |
US5628412A (en) * | 1994-11-23 | 1997-05-13 | Altamont, Inc. | Method of waste recycling |
US6124560A (en) * | 1996-11-04 | 2000-09-26 | National Recovery Technologies, Inc. | Teleoperated robotic sorting system |
GB2330409A (en) | 1997-10-17 | 1999-04-21 | Univ Cranfield | Identifying plastics for recycling |
AU2972300A (en) | 1999-01-28 | 2000-08-18 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation | Method of sorting and verifying type of plastic containers |
EP1247583A1 (en) | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-09 | Tohsho Logitic Corporation | Recycling system |
KR100485750B1 (en) | 2002-07-05 | 2005-04-27 | 박민경 | The method and system for selling garbage bag having the informations of buyer on the internet |
US8015085B2 (en) | 2003-11-14 | 2011-09-06 | First Data Corporation | System for distributing funds |
EP1640896B1 (en) | 2004-09-28 | 2016-03-09 | Swisscom AG | Method for recycling products |
US10185922B2 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2019-01-22 | Recyclebank Llc | Methods and system for managing recycling of recyclable material |
US7248164B2 (en) | 2005-02-07 | 2007-07-24 | Regard Joseph T | Radio frequency identification bag tracking and recycling system, and bag counting rack associated therewith |
US20100185506A1 (en) | 2008-07-18 | 2010-07-22 | Wm Greenops, Llc | Systems and methods used in the operation of a recycling enterprise |
CA2716443A1 (en) * | 2009-10-05 | 2011-04-05 | Ever Green Environmental Corporation | System and method for recycling of articles |
US20130075468A1 (en) * | 2010-10-05 | 2013-03-28 | Ever Green Environmental Corporation | System and method for recycling of articles |
US20130024252A1 (en) * | 2011-07-18 | 2013-01-24 | Jeremy David Sicklick | Systems and Methods for Monetizing Recyclable Plastics |
-
2006
- 2006-01-20 US US11/336,359 patent/US20070174071A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-02-14 US US13/026,813 patent/US20110145173A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2012
- 2012-08-01 US US13/564,307 patent/US9047652B2/en active Active
-
2015
- 2015-04-27 US US14/696,850 patent/US20150235185A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2017
- 2017-04-28 US US15/582,438 patent/US10089685B2/en active Active
-
2018
- 2018-08-31 US US16/120,176 patent/US10607283B2/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-03-11 US US16/816,099 patent/US11037235B2/en active Active
-
2021
- 2021-05-17 US US17/321,937 patent/US11636535B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (79)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4440284A (en) * | 1980-05-09 | 1984-04-03 | Environmental Products Corporation | Automated aluminum can redemption center for direct return deposit payout |
US5004392A (en) * | 1984-02-20 | 1991-04-02 | Zoller-Kipper Gmbh | Device for emptying containers, especially refuse bins |
US5644489A (en) * | 1984-04-27 | 1997-07-01 | Hagenbuch; Leroy G. | Apparatus and method for identifying containers from which material is collected and loaded onto a haulage vehicle |
US4579216A (en) * | 1984-09-17 | 1986-04-01 | Environmental Products Company | Returnable container redemption method |
US4829428A (en) * | 1985-07-11 | 1989-05-09 | Empire Returns Corporation | Beverage container sorting, accounting, and disposal method with compartmentalized hamper and can crusher |
US4943955A (en) * | 1988-03-03 | 1990-07-24 | Societe D'etudes, Recherches Et Constructions Electroniques - Sercel | Atomic clock |
US5042634A (en) * | 1989-03-28 | 1991-08-27 | Govoni Spa | Collection and recycling unit for used containers |
US5326939A (en) * | 1990-08-14 | 1994-07-05 | Fritz Schafer Gesellschaft Mit Beschrankter Haftung | Identification unit for garbage cans |
US5226519A (en) * | 1991-04-29 | 1993-07-13 | Environmental Products Corporation | Multiple use commodity collection and storage system |
US5832457A (en) * | 1991-05-06 | 1998-11-03 | Catalina Marketing International, Inc. | Method and apparatus for selective distribution of discount coupons based on prior customer behavior |
US5251546A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-10-12 | Tomra Systems A/S | Handling and compacting of empty beverage cans |
US5249689A (en) * | 1991-05-13 | 1993-10-05 | Tomra Systems A/S | Handling and compacting of empty beverage cans |
US5611270A (en) * | 1991-07-29 | 1997-03-18 | Harrington; John | Recycling center with portable table top recycling receptacle |
US5304744A (en) * | 1992-02-21 | 1994-04-19 | Jensen Asger R | Method of collecting and recording refuse |
US5614706A (en) * | 1992-05-15 | 1997-03-25 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Bar code scanning assembly with cantilevered or torsionally vibrating flexural member |
US5960402A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1999-09-28 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Information management apparatus dealing with waste and waste recycle planning supporting apparatus |
US5248102A (en) * | 1992-06-15 | 1993-09-28 | Tomra Systems A/S | Device for handling empty beverage containers |
US6006995A (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1999-12-28 | Metrologic Instruments Inc. | System for reading bar code symbol on containers having arbitrary surface geometry |
US5559319A (en) * | 1993-12-24 | 1996-09-24 | Opticon Sensors Europe Bv | Oscillation bar code reader |
US5566066A (en) * | 1994-02-25 | 1996-10-15 | Resource Recycling Technologies, Inc. | Method of recycling used beverage containers |
US5565846A (en) * | 1994-04-25 | 1996-10-15 | Indala Corporation | Reader system for waste bin pickup vehicles |
US5462153A (en) * | 1994-09-23 | 1995-10-31 | Tomra Systems A/S | Container handling system |
US5484995A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1996-01-16 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Pulse drive circuit for bar code reader resonant oscillator |
US5464976A (en) * | 1994-09-26 | 1995-11-07 | Allen-Bradley Company, Inc. | Bar code reader having dual mirror oscillating assembly with different orientation of oscillation |
US5522311A (en) * | 1995-05-12 | 1996-06-04 | Tomra Systems A/S | Beverage container compacting device having endless belts with puncturing members |
US5628408A (en) * | 1995-05-19 | 1997-05-13 | Tomra Systems A/S | Device for handling empty beverage containers |
US6010239A (en) * | 1996-03-07 | 2000-01-04 | Hardgrave; William David | Automatic item-driven system for deposit and pick-up |
US5860503A (en) * | 1996-03-11 | 1999-01-19 | Tomra Systems A/S | Reverse vending apparatus |
US5934440A (en) * | 1996-07-12 | 1999-08-10 | Tomra Systems Asa | Conveyor device for inspecting containers and transporting them to selected destinations |
US5888027A (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1999-03-30 | Buer; Jeffrey J. | Method of collecting recyclable containers from a redemption center for separating at a separating facility |
US5967330A (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1999-10-19 | Midamerica Recycling Company | Methods of separating metal cans and plastic bottles |
US6199702B1 (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 2001-03-13 | Midamerica Recycling Co. | Method and apparatus for collecting and removing recyclable containers from a redemption center for transport to a separating facility and separating the containers and their components |
US6302461B1 (en) * | 1997-09-22 | 2001-10-16 | Compagnie Plastic Omnium | Transport and/or collection device made of molded plastics material and including an identity device, and a method of manufacture |
US6000832A (en) * | 1997-09-24 | 1999-12-14 | Microsoft Corporation | Electronic online commerce card with customer generated transaction proxy number for online transactions |
US6191691B1 (en) * | 1998-10-13 | 2001-02-20 | Compagnie Plastic Omnium | Refuse bin fitted with a transponder |
US6510376B2 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2003-01-21 | Matthew Burnstein | Method to control refuse management fleets |
US6871184B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2005-03-22 | Barnet L. Liberman | Method of delivering groceries purchased over the internet |
US6580965B2 (en) * | 2000-06-08 | 2003-06-17 | Exy Concept Co., Ltd. | Raw garbage liquefying apparatus and method of managing same |
US7069236B1 (en) * | 2000-07-10 | 2006-06-27 | Canon Usa, Inc. | System and methods to effect return of a consumer product |
US6648227B2 (en) * | 2000-10-20 | 2003-11-18 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Scanning module for a bar code reader with a focusing lens |
US6637657B2 (en) * | 2001-04-06 | 2003-10-28 | Symbol Technologies, Inc. | Compact scan module with magnetically centered scan mirror |
US20040148189A1 (en) * | 2001-04-30 | 2004-07-29 | Stoffelsma Bouke Christiaan | Deposit return system for disposable packaging articles |
US20020194144A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2002-12-19 | Berry Matthew P. | Method and system for collecting recyclable waste |
US20040039595A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2004-02-26 | Complete Recycling Systems, Llc | Method and system for collecting recyclable waste |
US20040167799A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2004-08-26 | Complete Recycling Systems, Llc | Method and system for collecting recyclable waste |
US20060235808A1 (en) * | 2001-05-30 | 2006-10-19 | Berry Matthew P | System for managing recyclable and non-recyclable materials |
US20040199545A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-10-07 | Frederico Wagner | Networked disposal and replenishment apparatus |
US20040199401A1 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-10-07 | Frederico Wagner | Networked waste processing apparatus |
US7328842B2 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2008-02-12 | Ikan Technologies Inc. | Networked waste processing apparatus |
US7080777B2 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2006-07-25 | Ikan Technologies Inc. | Networked disposal and information distribution apparatus |
US7347358B2 (en) * | 2001-11-23 | 2008-03-25 | De La Rue International, Ltd. | Depositing items of value |
US20030140828A1 (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2003-07-31 | Asia Pacific Environmental Technology, Inc. | Integrated waste containment and processing system |
US20030215260A1 (en) * | 2002-03-06 | 2003-11-20 | Yoshihiro Morii | Recycling apparatus, recycling method, and recycled product |
US6842596B2 (en) * | 2002-03-06 | 2005-01-11 | Ricoh Company, Limited | Recycling apparatus, recycling method, and recycled product |
US20050246225A1 (en) * | 2002-07-05 | 2005-11-03 | Tomra Systems Asa | Method, system, reverse vending machine and use thereof for handling empty packaging |
WO2004045990A2 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2004-06-03 | Michael Frederick Underwood | Waste management system |
US6811030B1 (en) * | 2003-04-09 | 2004-11-02 | Robert E. Compton | Method for recycling |
US20050080520A1 (en) * | 2003-09-22 | 2005-04-14 | Robert Kline | Waste recovery and material handling process to replace the traditional trash transfer station and landfil by extracting reusable material and energy from joined refuse streams to include; office waste, dry waste, wet garbage and the special hazardous material handling of biological, chemical, and nuclear waste |
US8042850B2 (en) * | 2004-03-09 | 2011-10-25 | Inno-Labs, Lp | Flexible skewer system for supporting food during cooking |
US20080283356A1 (en) * | 2004-07-05 | 2008-11-20 | Tomra Systems Asa | Method and System For Handling Empty Packaging |
US20060089909A1 (en) * | 2004-10-21 | 2006-04-27 | First National Technologies Inc. | Cardless transaction system |
US7416142B2 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-08-26 | Count & Crush Llc | Methods and apparatus for processing recyclable containers |
US20060163397A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Evergreen Environmental, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for processing recyclable containers |
US7317962B2 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-01-08 | Count & Crush, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information related to recyclable containers |
US20080027581A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-01-31 | Tomra Systems Asa | Means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects |
US20080025826A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2008-01-31 | Tomra Systems Asa | Means in a reverse vending machine (RVM) for receiving, handling, sorting and storing returnable items or objects |
US20060163028A1 (en) * | 2005-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | Evergreen Environmental, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for the management of information related to recyclable containers |
US20060178933A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2006-08-10 | Fitzgerald Patrick K | Method and system for improving recycling through the use of financial incentives |
US20090024479A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2009-01-22 | Recyclebank Llc | Community-based recycling system and methods thereof |
US20090138358A1 (en) * | 2005-02-07 | 2009-05-28 | Ron Gonen | System and method for managing an incentive-based recycling program |
US20080177624A9 (en) * | 2005-09-01 | 2008-07-24 | Dohse Ryan W | Receipt Card Systems |
US20070276686A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-11-29 | Count & Crush, Llc | Techniques for processing recyclable containers |
US20070174073A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Management of information related to recyclable containers |
US20070174071A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US20120292387A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2012-11-22 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US20080086411A1 (en) * | 2006-10-04 | 2008-04-10 | Olson Robert A | REC credit distribution system and method |
US20120265589A1 (en) * | 2011-04-15 | 2012-10-18 | Frank Whittier | Method For Collection And Processing For Recycling |
US20130030988A1 (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2013-01-31 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Charitable donation of proceeds from recycling activity |
US8630944B2 (en) * | 2011-07-28 | 2014-01-14 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Charitable donation of proceeds from recycling activity |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
RETURN, Winter 2004, Recycleing News from TOMRA * |
Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11037235B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2021-06-15 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US20070276686A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-11-29 | Count & Crush, Llc | Techniques for processing recyclable containers |
US9047652B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2015-06-02 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US20070174071A1 (en) * | 2006-01-20 | 2007-07-26 | C&C Acquisition, Llc | Techniques for managing information relating to recyclable containers |
US10089685B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2018-10-02 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US11636535B1 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2023-04-25 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US10607283B2 (en) | 2006-01-20 | 2020-03-31 | Count & Crush Systems, Llc | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program |
US10210693B2 (en) | 2012-10-29 | 2019-02-19 | Waèl M. Hannawa | Reverse vending machine incorporating a method of cleaning therein |
US20190180551A1 (en) * | 2012-10-29 | 2019-06-13 | Wael M. Hannawa | Reverse vending machine incorporating a method of cleaning therein |
US10861275B2 (en) * | 2012-10-29 | 2020-12-08 | Wael M. Hannawa | Reverse vending machine incorporating a method of cleaning therein |
US9890914B2 (en) | 2013-01-18 | 2018-02-13 | Raves Equipment Company | Lighting assembly |
US10494814B2 (en) | 2013-08-07 | 2019-12-03 | Edmund MEI | Cantilevered portion of a light frame construction building using structural engineered wood rim boards |
US9888160B2 (en) | 2014-05-30 | 2018-02-06 | International Business Machines Corporation | Intelligent recycling container |
EP3310694A4 (en) * | 2015-06-17 | 2018-12-05 | Berry, Matthew, P. | Creating advertising based on collected recyclable materials |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US10607283B2 (en) | 2020-03-31 |
US11636535B1 (en) | 2023-04-25 |
US20150235185A1 (en) | 2015-08-20 |
US20120292387A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 |
US20190019248A1 (en) | 2019-01-17 |
US10089685B2 (en) | 2018-10-02 |
US20200211102A1 (en) | 2020-07-02 |
US9047652B2 (en) | 2015-06-02 |
US20170236200A1 (en) | 2017-08-17 |
US20070174071A1 (en) | 2007-07-26 |
US11037235B2 (en) | 2021-06-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11636535B1 (en) | Methods and apparatus for managing information in connection with an account-based recycling program | |
US20070174073A1 (en) | Management of information related to recyclable containers | |
US20150235184A1 (en) | Techniques for processing recyclable containers | |
DE69734067T2 (en) | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR VOUCHER AND REPAYMENT MANAGEMENT | |
US6748296B2 (en) | Automated vending | |
US7082409B1 (en) | Fully integrated on-line interactive purchasing club incorporating extremely rapid fulfillment | |
US7966228B2 (en) | Systems and methods for enabling information management incorporating a personal computing device | |
DE69737655T2 (en) | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRONIC COUPONS | |
JP2000504447A (en) | Improved electronic ordering device and electronic retailing and electronic vending system | |
DE10220885A1 (en) | Personalized media service | |
JP3978991B2 (en) | Ordering system and storage medium | |
KR101096405B1 (en) | A method and a system for intermediating among electronic commercial entities | |
KR100707724B1 (en) | A method and a system for intermediating among electronic commercial entities | |
JP2001350948A (en) | Product transaction method, sales/processing intermediary system and information providing device | |
KR20050093466A (en) | Method and system for intermediating electronic commerce | |
JP6941714B1 (en) | Information processing system | |
Kasavana et al. | Investing in customer equity: using technology to build your frequent diner programs | |
JP2002140574A (en) | Purchase system, purchase managing device, purchasing method and data storage medium | |
JP2002007824A (en) | System and method for collective inventory management of discontinued product/maintenance product | |
KR20020021899A (en) | Method providing service for a fraternity using internet | |
CA2240424A1 (en) | Fully integrated, on-line interactive frequency and award redemption system | |
KR20020026313A (en) | Method and system for running lottery business using bank account | |
JP2001175738A (en) | Information data sales system and information data sales system method | |
Yang | Transaction visibility and information technology: when does changing transaction visibility make sense and when is it more likely to occur? | |
JP2002041985A (en) | Server for controlling ordering, and medium recorded with method for controlling ordering and with processing program for controlling ordering |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: COUNT & CRUSH SYSTEMS, LLC, MAINE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:C&C MERGER SUB 1, LLC;REEL/FRAME:025935/0719 Effective date: 20110101 Owner name: C&C MERGER SUB 1, LLC, MAINE Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:COUNT & CRUSH, LLC;REEL/FRAME:025935/0697 Effective date: 20101222 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |